Beaches

If you've never been to a West Michigan beach, you're missing out on one of America's finest treasures. Crystal-clear fresh water as far as the eye can see. Clean, spacious sugar-sand beaches. Gorgeous sunsets that paint the sky orange and purple and pink.

But don't take our word for it: Condé Nast Traveler named the Lake Michigan shoreline one of the 25 best in the world. MTV ranks Oval Beach as one the five most beautiful in the U.S. Visitors who spend time on our lakeshore will tell you it's unlike any other place on Earth.

All the more amazing: our beaches are just 30 minutes or so away from the bustling heart of Grand Rapids, a cosmopolitan city on the leading edge of art, culture, dining and entertainment. So you can easily spend a day on the beach and a night on the town - or vice versa!

Check out our favorite beaches below or click on the "Click to show mapped listings" to see the locations plotted on a map.